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Light shines through ‘metallic’ surfaces after start-up
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01/11/2007
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A centre console concept being shown to car-makers by Preh contains significant innovations in materials technology, displays and the human-machine interfaces, writes Roger Bishop
The most important of these may be contained in a small silver button. The button is plastic but has the appearance of a quality metal component thanks to metal layer only 300nm thick applied by a special physical vapour deposition (PVD) process. Its function is only revealed as it is lit up from behind when the ignition is switched on.
This ability to shine light thought an apparently metal surface could be used to create spectacular interior lighting effects on components that otherwise are indistinguishable from metal parts.
The metals used in the PVD process can produce different effects and colours. For example, CrN looks very like chrome, ZrN has a green-gold colour and TiN has a yellow-gold colour.
Other advances on the PrehCon concept will also appeal to car-makers. Wolfgang Küchler, director of advanced development, says: “For the first time, we are showing a climate control system design with only a single control knob for both the driver and front-seat passenger.” The knob may be shifted to the left or right (corresponding to the zone). It is rotated for both temperature and density of ventilation but with different haptic characteristics.
The entire centre console is made using the so-called black panel display technology, allowing the individual function icons to appear only after the ignition is turned on. A slight pressure on the start button will wake the controls and illuminate them.
A new gear shifter design folds flat when the car is at rest and an integrated touchpad is used to make navigation selections but transforms into a telephone keyboard with haptic feedback when required.
Ion bombardment key to PVD
PVD hardening metal surfaces with titanium nitride involves temperatures in excess of 200ºC. This is incompatible with plastics, which are therefore normally steamed – a procedure used, for example, in the manufacture of mirrors and reflectors. However, the resulting coating characteristics and limited adhesion are not suited to backlit plastic surfaces.
Preh uses a low-temperature (<70ºC) procedure based on magnetron sputtering in which the surface of the base material is brought into a gaseous state using ion bombardment.
The atoms or atom clusters that are knocked out as a result of this are deposited on the plastic surface, generating the desired metallic look. These surfaces can be laser-etched and can receive the symbols for backlighting. A topcoat lacquer provides the protection required by the automotive industry.
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Author
Roger Bishop
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